WOODWARD, Iowa — No one has to tell Rod Pierce that corn and soybean prices are low. He can see that on his computer screen every day. What will make his ears prick up is if you can tell him how to still make money.

“I think you really need to know your cost of production,” Pierce says. “And you need to know your cash flow.”

When patrolling fields this summer, Iowa farmers can expect to see one particular weed popping up.

Waterhemp has become a problem over the last decade, according to Bob Hartzler, an Iowa State University Extension weed specialist. Without proper management of the weed, especially during harvest season, waterhemp will continue to challenge farmers.

It’s been a challenging spring for farmers trying to get crops planted due to wet weather, and those challenges are extending to weed control.

Kevin Bradley, University of Missouri weed scientist, says growers have concerns about being able to get fields sprayed in a timely manner.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — With weather delays, corn and soybean farmers may be tempted to go directly to planting and worry about weeds later. University of Illinois weed scientist Aaron Hager and other experts say: Resist the temptation.

“We’re not at the point to abandon your plans,” Hager said. “Successful weed control is the emphasis.”

When the rains stopped and a window came to get field work done, many farmers were forced to wait just a little longer.

After last fall’s wet harvest season across much of Iowa, farmers were scrambling this spring to get anhydrous ammonia from the local co-op, leaving some more than a little frustrated.

Herbicides may be the dominant means of controlling weeds, but mechanical techniques are getting a lot of attention lately, thanks to some technological breakthroughs.

A multi-region study overseen by the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service has deployed the Harrington Seed Destructor, a machine designed to reduce the weed seed bank while the farmer is harvesting crops. The study is at the halfway point and is showing real promise.